£499,500 National Lottery funding boost for Building Stronger Futures appeal

Centre 33’s appeal to create a new support hub for local young people has been awarded £499,500 in National Lottery funding.

We have launched our Building Stronger Futures appeal to create a new support hub for young people in Cambridge. On the corner of James Street and Maids Causeway, our new building is three times bigger than our current Clarendon Street hub and will enable double the number of young people to get support every year. You can read more about our plans here.

Now, we are delighted to reveal for the first time that, thanks to National Lottery players, our plans have been strengthened by a generous grant of £499,500 from The National Lottery Community Fund.

Helen Bushell, Senior Head of Regional Funding (southern), The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Centre 33’s new hub in Cambridge will be a lifeline for young people facing serious challenges such as homelessness, unemployment, and mental health. It will offer a safe, welcoming space where they can access the support and resources they need to navigate difficult situations.

“Through our life-changing grants, we’re proud to support projects that give children and young people access to opportunities to thrive and live happier and healthier lives.”

Alongside other funders, including The Evelyn Trust, The John Apthorp Charity and The Clothworkers’ Foundation, we have been able to raise over £2.1m so far. We are turning to the local community for the remaining £900,000 to fully refurbish the building and open its doors.

Once open, the new hub will have more space for one-to-one and group support, as well as room for multiple partner organisations, ensuring joined-up support. We have worked with the brilliant Mole Architects to bring our plans to life in a new image below.

Beth Green, Chief Executive Officer at Centre 33, said: “We’re delighted the National Lottery Community Fund has supported the vision to create a new support hub for young people in Cambridge. This generous funding has marked a major step forward in Centre 33’s aim to ensure even more young people can access the emotional and practical support they need under one roof.

“We can’t wait to welcome young people through our doors – but there’s still a long way to go, and we can’t do it alone. We’d encourage everyone in the community to get behind our Building Stronger Futures appeal however you can.”

There are lots of ways to support the Building Stronger Futures appeal – you could donate (every donation helps, whatever its size), organise a fundraiser, talk to your workplace about supporting the appeal or simply share the word.

If you are a young person, don’t worry – Clarendon Street will remain open until the new hub is ready. You can find out more about contacting us here.

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